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<strong>Colorado's Class of 2014 makes their decisions...</strong></p>
Natalie Anderson joins the fold of very capable distance runners at Western State Colorado University this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo.
Natalie Anderson's best marks:
1600 meters - 5:10.63 (at altitude)
3200 meters - 11:03.83 (at altitude)
5K cross country - 18:45.6
You and Jennifer Celis have been together all through high school. Is there any special synergy between the two of you that helps you both exceed expectations?
There is a very special synergy between Jenny and I. My freshmen year we became very closer and made each other realize the potential we both had. From that day one, we have had a special connection to make sure every day in practice and in meets that we push each other to be the very best we can be. We also both have a special connection with believing we can do all things through Christ so we always remind each other of that. Through the four years, we have gotten to train and run together we have created a special friendship that has resulted in us making each other better and, of course, we have fun while doing it!
I am sure you had some choices in front of you--what led to the decision to commit to Western?
[It] was not an easy decision but, in the end, I could not turn down what Western had to offer me; they have a beautiful new facility and a great running program. In addition, from the day I met Coach Michel, I knew she was the college coach I had been hoping to run for.
What do you plan to study at Western?
What I plan to study at Western is psychology. I know I want to major in psychology, but I do not know exactly what I am going to do with this degree yet. Right now, I am looking at maybe going into counseling.
You have a few state titles and near misses in your high school career. If you had to pick a most memorable moment from among all the highlights, what would it be?
I have many great memories from track and cross country, and it is hard to pick one, But I think my "most memorable" memory would be from my junior year of cross country. I was bent over on the sides and I looked up and saw Jenny coming in fourth, and then not far back from her I watched Sophia come in tenth and Mae come in 11th. I knew in my heart we had just won our first-ever state title. And it was just the most amazing feeling ever to flood my body. At the start of the year, we knew we had the potential to win it, but it would take everything we had and we did. The cross-country team I have had is a once in a lifetime experience, and winning a state title together just topped it all off and it will be an experience I will never forget.
And, your favorite race is....
Picking my favorite race is a hard decision for me I almost want to say it depends on the yea. My freshmen and sophomore years, by far my favorite race was the two mile. But in the past year I have found a new love for the mile. Therefore, I would have to say that my favorite race would have to be either the mile or two mile.
Both Hotchkiss and Paonia have really good shots at the 2A girls state title this spring. Is that possibility something you think about much, or do you try to keep your thoughts turned elsewhere?
I have to admit I think about it maybe more than I should. We had a great shot at it last year and just fell short, and so this year I feel like that has built a little fire under our girls team’s feet to know how close we were and to barely fall short. It's hard not to think about the possibility of having a shot at a girls state title. Sometimes I use it as a motivation when I am feeling tired or weak. I like to think to myself, "What if I push just a little harder today to move up a couple places and put more points on the board for my team. That would give us that extra boost to see us walk up on day three as the 2A state champions."
It will be fun to see how it plays out and what the outcome is between two very talented teams, but you can never count out other teams that are on the rise as well.
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Natalie Anderson has learned an important lesson about not counting out other teams. And lots of other folks have already learned that lesson about Anderson's Hotchkiss team. There promises to be a lot on the line when the Hotchkiss Bulldogs come to Denver for the state meet on May 16.